Once again, the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) will be sponsoring 10 education sessions at METALCON International, including a full-day seminar on “Integrating Cold-Formed Steel Into Your Mid-Rise Load-Bearing Projects” that is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Featuring 350 exhibits, a comprehensive education program and live demonstrations, the 18th Annual METALCON International Conference and Exhibition will take place October 1-3, 2008 in Baltimore. Visit www.METALCON.comto sign up and learn more.

Following is the schedule for this year’s SFA-sponsored education sessions:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

SP2 – “Integrating Cold-Formed Steel Into Your Mid-Rise Load-Bearing Projects” (7.0 LU/HSW; 7.0 PDH)
Presented by Don Allen, P.E., Director of Engineering, Steel Framing Alliance; and Jeffrey Klaiman, P.E., Principal, Vice President of Specialty Engineering, Adtek Engineers

Cold-Formed steel framing (CFSF) is being chosen for more and more load-bearing mid-rise projects because of its ease of constructability, non-combustibility and many other factors that will be discussed in this presentation. Both presenters will combine their extensive industry experience and case studies of projects that have successfully integrated CFSF with other structural construction materials and examples of tall structures that feature CFSF. In his role of principal and vice president of a national engineering firm, Jeff heads the division that specializes in CFSF design and will point out some of the unique challenges and opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region and throughout the United States for CFSF. Don will also discuss technical aspects of mid-rise CFSF construction through examples in several projects throughout the country that have used this construction method.

Don Allen, P.E., previously worked for a product manufacturer, a specialty engineer and full-service structural engineering firm. He is a LEED® Accredited Professional. He is a member of ASCE Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Committee on Sustainability, the ASCE SEI Committee on Cold-Formed Steel and the International Code Council Evaluation Service Industry Advisory Committee.

Jeffrey Klaiman, P.E., has experience spanning building engineering, on-site engineering for a concrete contractor, manager of technical services for Dale/Incor, participation in AISI’s Committee of Specifications and Committee on Framing Standards. He currently is president of the Board of Directors of the LGSEA Council of the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) and ASTM.

$395, includes lunch and seminar materials

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
8:30 – 10 a.m.

WE03 – “An Overview of AISI’s Construction Technical Program” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Jay W. Larson, P.E., F. ASCE, Managing Director, AISI Construction Technical Program

This presentation provides an overview of the valuable AISI Construction Technical Program. It includes highlights of its useful resources focused on cold-formed steel framing as well as introduction of the key people involved in the program. To support steel industry construction marketing objectives, the AISI Construction Technical Program strives to ensure that codes and standards for steel construction reflect state-of-the-art industry practices, are technically sound, permit the proper and safe use of steel, promote the recognition of concepts favorable to steel and assure stakeholders have steel as a material of choice. These programs help defend existing markets and support growth initiatives for steel in construction. They include a wide range of technical activities with many strategic partners and offer a valuable resource for contractors.

Jay W. Larson, P.E., F. ASCE, has 5 years as director of AISI construction standards development, 15 years in cold-formed steel product, market, and standards development with a steel producer and 9 years in steel mill plant engineering.

WE04 – “Ex-Im 101: The Basics” (1.5 Hours/LUs)
Presented by Sharyn H. Koenig, Senior Business Development Officer for Ex-Im Bank’s Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

Interested in exploring new markets beyond the shores of the United States? This program can help you expand your cold-formed steel framing horizons and opportunities. Presented by an expert from the Export-Import Bank of the United States Government, this session will explain how this respected resource can help you and your company: expand international sales, boost borrowing power, speed cash flow, enter new markets and mitigate risks and losses.

Sharyn Koenig has 27 years of experience with Ex-Im Bank products and advising exporters, bankers, and the trade-related business community in international risk mitigation.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.

WE11 – “Cold-Formed Steel Design: Thinking Beyond the Specification” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Roger A. LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, Civil Engineering and Director, Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures, University of Missouri-Rolla

The North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members is the recognized design standard. However, it does not provide all the answers to cold-formed steel design. Through its publications, the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) supplements the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members in several ways. For example, CFSEI’s information can answer questions such as: What is a reasonable engineering solution to reinforce a web hole in a stud or joist? How can a damaged flange be reinforced? Or, how can a more economical boundary stud design be achieved for a shear wall? Roger will explore these and several other topics in this thought-provoking session.

Roger A. LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E., has an extensive background in the design and behavior of cold-formed steel structures. His research and design activities have touched on many facets of cold-formed steel construction to include: cold-formed steel beams, panels, trusses, headers and wall studs, as well as bolt, weld and screw connections.

WE12 – “Pin Fastening: A Key to Success for Cold-Formed Steel Framing” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Lisa Beally, marketing and international sales manager, Aerosmith Fastening Systems

If you — like many contractors — are faced with the challenges of getting a job done faster and coming in under budget, this session will show you how pin fastening can help you achieve that. Hardened steel pins have been used successfully in construction for decades, but the demand for faster, more economical fastening methods is growing rapidly. Common uses include fastening various materials and/or fixtures to a range of common steel mils, including structural and a variety of concrete densities. Pin fastening continues to meet market demand with innovative new pins for conventional and high-pressure installation systems. Now pins are being used to join as many as four or five layers of steel to steel and can be installed at speeds 5-to-10 times faster than conventional fastening methods. This enables a wide range of design opportunities in cold-formed steel framing and creates tremendous economic benefits for building owners, developers, architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors.

Lisa Beally helps further the use of cold-formed steel by conducting training programs throughout North America, in Europe and the United Kingdom.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
8:30 – 10 a.m.

TH19 – “Advances in Design and Applications of Non-Combustible, Structural Cementitious Panels” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Kumar Natesaiyer, Ph.D., Manager, Sales and Market Development, Structural Technologies Group of USG Corp.; and Frank C. Pospisil, P.E., MBA, Market Development Manager, FORTACRETE Structural Panels

Non-combustible, cementitious structural panels are dimensionally stable, have a high strength-to-weight ratio and do not promote mold growth. Can this floor system improve your construction schedule and save money? This presentation will inform owners, designers and constructors of advances made in the design and use of non-combustible, structural panels — an option that ideally fits the cold-formed steel design system. Cementitious structural panels are reinforced, lightweight concrete sheathing that are mechanically fastened directly to the cold-formed steel structures and become part of the structural assembly. As the sub-flooring, they are able to resist axial as well as diaphragm shear loads and eliminate the need for additional reinforcing or wet top coating. Attend this session and see if advances in cementitious, non-combustible structural panels can help improve your projects.

Kumar Natesaiyer was a co-inventor and part of the team that developed FORTACRETE Structural Panels and is currently sales and market development manager for the Structural Technologies Group of USG Corp.

Frank C. Pospisil, P. E., MBA joined USG Structural Technologies Group as market development manager for FORTACRETE Structural Panels in 2000.

TH20 – “Clinching – Framing Without Screws, Rivets or Pins” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Dr. Hans Bergkvist, President & CEO, ATTEXOR, Inc.

Clinching is a cost-effective, clean and silent method for framing, panelizing and truss-making without screws, rivets, pins or other added fasteners. Clinching creates a rivet-like joint from the studs and tracks them in less than a second. Clinching can be combined with sealant and structural adhesives to open new avenues in the cold-formed steel construction area. Participants will learn what clinching is, its advantages, limitations and how clinched structures react to hurricane winds, earthquakes and fire, important elements of green buildings. Case studies will illustrate how to select clinching tools and what savings to expect over traditional framing methods. Finally, participants will learn how clinching minimizes training efforts, yet offers top-quality fastening for unskilled labor. No prior knowledge of clinching is required.

Dr. Hans Bergkvist has more than 25 years of experience in the cost-effective use of clinching in most industry segments and lectures frequently on various applications related to clinching, from cold-formed steel fastening to fastener-less assembly in the automotive, appliances and HVAC sectors.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.

TH27 – “Distortional Buckling: What Is It And How to Design Against It” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Ben Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Civil Engineering

The latest version of the AISI Main Specification, AISI-S100-07, includes new provisions for distortional buckling in cold-formed steel beams and columns. These provisions have a potentially far-reaching impact on the design of cold-formed steel members and systems. This presentation explains the distortional buckling limit state and the research performed to characterize and understand this mode of buckling. Emphasis will be placed on the new provisions and how you can use a recent Cold-Form Steel Engineers Institute Technical Note, authored by the speaker, which provides guidance and design aids for the distortional buckling mode.

Ben Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., has worked as a practicing structural engineer at Simpson, Gumpertz and Heger, Inc., Boston, MA. In his current role at Johns Hopkins University, Ben serves on numerous technical committees related to cold-formed steel structures.

TH28 – “Energy Codes and CFS: Obstacle or Opportunity” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Mark Nowak, Senior Member, Newport Partners, LLC; and Mike Moore, Research Associate, Newport Ventures

These experts will discuss several areas related to current trends in energy codes and standards — the performance approach to meeting the codes, how to create high performance steel framed homes and continuous insulation and its impact on steel framing. First up will be an overview of the main energy codes in the United States, implications of code requirements on the cost and performance of steel framing and recent code changes that will impact the way steel framed homes are designed and built. The second portion will cover computer simulation tools available for steel framing. This will explain various calculation methods for determining the U-factor or R-value of steel wall assemblies and suggest low cost trade-offs to meet or exceed code. The final portion will focus on the use of continuous insulation with and without cavity insulation as a way to address thermal performance and moisture protection in buildings.

Mark Nowak, LEED AP has over 20 years experience evaluating new technologies and their adoption by the building industry. He helps clients incorporate technologies to increase the cost effectiveness, durability and energy efficiency of their buildings.

Mike Moore’s experience focuses on green building, renewable energy, and advanced technologies in the home building arena. He has worked with government agencies and private sector groups.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

FR35 – “Open-Web Composite Joist Floor Systems on CFS Bearing Walls” (1.5 Hours LUs – HSW)
Presented by Rick Bullens, Marketing Manager, Nucor Vulcraft Group; Lionel Dayton, Research Structural Engineer, Nucor Research & Development; and Ryan Naab, President and Owner, Naab Structures, Inc.

This trio will use their combination of experience in architecture, engineering, construction, research and product development to show you how and where to use this latest concept in flooring systems. In their presentation, they will provide all of the background information, benefits and detailing requirements for utilizing composite joist floor systems on cold-formed steel load-bearing walls. They will also use a recently completed 6-story hotel as a project case study that includes why the system was chosen, installation techniques and lessons learned.

Rick Bullens has been involved in the construction industry for more than 37 years, primarily involved in sales and marketing. He has been a project manager and held executive management positions for contractors and fabricators of structural steel components.
Lionel Dayton has served project manager and engineer of record for a variety of project types. His experience in multi-story residential construction, cold-formed steel design and design-build project delivery were crucial to the development of the ECOSPAN ™ Composite Floor System.
Ryan Naab’s company has successfully completed projects in the field of load- bearing light gauge CFS structures using a variety of composite floor systems. Ryan previously worked for an architecture firm.

To register for any of these sessions, visit http://metalcon.com/seminars_events_demos.html#sp2